PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun
A social activist and public interest litigant, Ajay Narain Sharma filed an FIR over alleged illegal construction and encroachment on Ton’s river land in Dehradun. The complaint was lodged on Sunday at Premnagar police station following directions of the Uttarakhand High Court in connection with Public Interest Litigation (WPPIL No. 36 of 2022), which had ordered strict action against encroachment and illegal dumping on the river land.
As per the FIR, Subhash Chandra Nagpal, owner of Sheela Farms / Sheela Resort and the management of Clarion Hotel (formerly Clarks Collection) have been named in the case. The complaint alleges that illegal construction and commercial activities are being carried out on protected land near Tons bank. It also claims that the construction violates the by-laws of the Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) and falls within the restricted 30-metre forest buffer zone along the river.
The complaint further states that an illegal connecting gate and passage have been built between the two premises to support commercial operations. The activist also alleged that some important facts might have been hidden from the court to obtain favourable orders.
Sharma said he had earlier submitted several complaints to senior officials, including the chief secretary, with no effective action taken. He had also sought information under the Right to Information Act, 2005 about the government buildings constructed on river land, but the authorities said such information was not available in official records.
The activist demanded an independent survey of all government and private buildings constructed on river land in Dehradun and across Uttarakhand. He warned that if proper action is not taken, the matter would again be taken to Uttarakhand High Court.
